Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods are provided for managing user account data and award redemptions. In one embodiment, a system is provided that includes a web server configured to operate an online platform that enables a user to activate an award enhancement option for an award. The system also includes a data integration server communicatively coupled to the server. The data integration server may be configured to receive, from the web server, first identity data representing an identity of the user and activation data identifying the award enhancement option activated by the user, and store, in a memory device, the activation data with account data of the user.

Abstract: A gas dispensing system includes a frame configured to house multiple rows of gas cylinders, a common gas manifold fluidically coupled to a gas outlet for dispensing of gas from the gas cylinders, a gas manifold for each row of gas cylinders configured to be fluidically coupled to each cylinder in the row by a respective dispensing valve, a vent manifold for each row of gas cylinders, in which the vent manifold for a given row of gas cylinders is configured to be fluidically coupled to each cylinder in the row via a respective vent valve, in which each vent valve is configured to open when a temperature on the vent valve exceeds a threshold temperature, and a common vent manifold, in which each vent manifold is fluidically coupled to the common vent manifold.

Abstract: A method for detecting boxes includes receiving a plurality of image frame pairs for an area of interest including at least one target box. Each image frame pair includes a monocular image frame and a respective depth image frame. For each image frame pair, the method includes determining corners for a rectangle associated with the at least one target box within the respective monocular image frame. Based on the determined corners, the method includes the following: performing edge detection and determining faces within the respective monocular image frame; and extracting planes corresponding to the at least one target box from the respective depth image frame. The method includes matching the determined faces to the extracted planes and generating a box estimation based on the determined corners, the performed edge detection, and the matched faces of the at least one target box.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for cutscene management. The method is implemented with at least one processor and includes receiving, from a game server, game state data representing a state of an electronically displayed game, the game being hosted by a plurality of gameplay client devices that are configured to transmit the game state data to the game server. The method also includes determining an event associated with the game based on the game state data, determining at least one cutscene based on the event, the at least one cutscene including a visual representation of the event, and inserting the at least one cutscene into a cutscene queue, the cutscene queue including at least one cutscene associated with the game and a sequence for displaying the at least one cutscene from the cutscene queue.

Abstract: The invention discussed in this application relates to vitamin B12-based compounds that are useful as quantitative standards, particularly for the assessment of vitamin B12 deficiency.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods are provided for tracking user activity and managing quests. By way of example, a method may include receiving, from a website server, first identity data representing an identity of a user and data identifying a quest activated by the user, the quest comprising one or more activities to be performed at a physical location, and receiving, from at least one reporting device, second identity data representing the identity of the user at the physical location, and activity tracking data in response to the user performing an activity associated with the quest at the physical location. The method may also include identifying the user and the quest activated by the user based on the first identity data and data identifying the quest, further identifying the user and activity data related to the quest based on the second identity data and activity tracking data, and monitoring a progress of the user.

Abstract: A method for detecting boxes includes receiving a plurality of image frame pairs for an area of interest including at least one target box. Each image frame pair includes a monocular image frame and a respective depth image frame. For each image frame pair, the method includes determining corners for a rectangle associated with the at least one target box within the respective monocular image frame. Based on the determined corners, the method includes the following: performing edge detection and determining faces within the respective monocular image frame; and extracting planes corresponding to the at least one target box from the respective depth image frame. The method includes matching the determined faces to the extracted planes and generating a box estimation based on the determined corners, the performed edge detection, and the matched faces of the at least one target box.

Abstract: A heat balancing system for a natural draft gas burning appliance having a flue. When the appliance is in a standby mode, a main burner is shut off and the pilot light remains on. Temperature in the heat exchanger (e.g., temperature of water in a heater tank) may be decreased or increased, respectively, by opening or closing a damper in a flue as needed. If opening the damper does not sufficiently reduce the temperature of the heat exchanger, then the pilot light may be shut off to further reduce the temperature. The pilot light may be turned on again to bring up the temperature. There may be a control or controller to operate the damper to maintain the temperature of the exchanger within a certain range. Electrical power may be provided for the system from a power line, a storage device, or other source.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to roadmaps for robotic devices are provided. A computing device can receive a roadmap representing a plurality of paths through an environment. The computing device can discretize the roadmap to obtain a discrete planning graph having a plurality of states corresponding to discretized segments of the plurality of paths of the roadmap such that states corresponding to adjacent discretized path segments are connected in the discrete planning graph. The computing device can determine a Boolean equation representing at least a portion of the discrete planning graph. The computing device can determine a sequence of states from the plurality of states of the discrete planning graph such that the determined sequence of states satisfies the Boolean equation. The computing device can provide a route through the environment for a robotic device based on the determined sequence of states.

Abstract: Embossed tissue products having improved strength and softness are disclosed. The products as described have a continuous curvilinear emboss element which carries discrete emboss elements, thereby providing the product with the softness and handfeel benefits associated with the long linear elements, but the visual appearance of discrete emboss elements.

Abstract: An illustrative HVAC controller may include a communication module for wirelessly communicating with a network and wiring terminals for receiving a wired connection to a remote temperature sensor that is situated remote from the HVAC controller and in a living space of the building. A controller may be operably coupled to the communication module and the wiring terminals and may be configured to implement a thermostat control algorithm to generate one or more control signals, wherein the one or more control signals are provided by a wired connection to the HVAC system to control one or more HVAC components of the HVAC system. The thermostat control algorithm may be configured to compare a sensed temperature received from the remote temperature sensor via the wiring terminals and a temperature setpoint received from the server via the network.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention includes an EGS configured to allow the commercial production of electrical energy. One criteria of an EGS according to the present invention is that the temperature and volume of the fluids extracted are sufficiently high and large enough as to allow the commercial production of electrical energy. The system is able to operate for at least N years before the extracted fluid falls below the minimum temperature needed for energy production. Additionally, fractures are separated from each other by a sufficiently large volume of rock (Vcrit) relative to the fractures surface area such that the ratio of the rate of heat extraction to the rate of heat supply controlled by the thermal conductivity of the rock is such that the intervening rock is cooled at a rate that is sufficiently slow to be economic.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method for automatically controlling inspired oxygen delivery, including: receiving signals representing a plurality of input oxygen saturation (SpO2) values for a patient; generating control values based on the input SpO2 values and a target SpO2 value; and generating output inspired oxygen concentration (FiO2) values based on the control values and reference inspired oxygen concentration (rFiO2) values; wherein the control values include: immediate control values, generated based on the input SpO2 values, the target SpO2 value, and an immediate gain coefficient; accumulation control values, generated based on the input SpO2 values, the target SpO2 value, and an accumulation gain coefficient; and predictive control values, generated based on the input SpO2 values, the target SpO2 value, and a predictive gain coefficient; wherein the immediate gain coefficient is determined based on the rFiO2 value; and wherein a non-linear compensation weighting is applied to the accumulation control val

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention includes an EGS configured to allow the commercial production of electrical energy. One criteria of an EGS according to the present invention is that the temperature and volume of the fluids extracted are sufficiently high and large enough as to allow the commercial production of electrical energy. The system is able to operate for at least N years before the extracted fluid falls below the minimum temperature needed for energy production. Additionally, fractures are separated from each other by a sufficiently large volume of rock (Vcrit) relative to the fractures surface area such that the ratio of the rate of heat extraction to the rate of heat supply controlled by the thermal conductivity of the rock is such that the intervening rock is cooled at a rate that is sufficiently slow to be economic.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention includes a method for estimating the permeability of fractured rock formations from the analysis of a slow fluid pressure wave, which is generated by pressurization of a borehole. Wave propagation in the rock is recorded with TFI™. Poroelastic theory is used to estimate the permeability from the measured wave speed. The present invention offers the opportunity of measuring the reservoir-scale permeability of fractured rock, because the method relies on imaging a wave, which propagates through a large rock volume, on the order of kilometers in size. Traditional methods yield permeability for much smaller rock volumes: well logging tools only measure permeability in the vicinity of a borehole. Pressure transient testing accesses larger rock volumes; however, these volumes are much smaller than for the proposed method, particularly in low-permeability rock formations.

Abstract: A method for detecting boxes includes receiving a plurality of image frame pairs for an area of interest including at least one target box. Each image frame pair includes a monocular image frame and a respective depth image frame. For each image frame pair, the method includes determining corners for a rectangle associated with the at least one target box within the respective monocular image frame. Based on the determined corners, the method includes the following: performing edge detection and determining faces within the respective monocular image frame; and extracting planes corresponding to the at least one target box from the respective depth image frame. The method includes matching the determined faces to the extracted planes and generating a box estimation based on the determined corners, the performed edge detection, and the matched faces of the at least one target box.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods for secondary game creation and management include a plurality of gaming machines, and a scheduler configured to initiate a secondary game in response to a request from one or more players or a schedule defined by an administrator, the secondary game including one or more games executed on the plurality of gaming machines. A controller is also provided that is configured to validate each player to participate in the secondary game on respective ones of the plurality of gaming machines and enable secondary gameplay by the validated players on the plurality of gaming machines. Further, a data analyzer is provided that is configured to receive primary game player data and secondary game player data from the plurality of gaming machines and process the primary game player data and secondary game player data to determine at least one of a progression, position, or score of a player of a secondary game.

Abstract: A method for detecting boxes includes receiving a plurality of image frame pairs for an area of interest including at least one target box. Each image frame pair includes a monocular image frame and a respective depth image frame. For each image frame pair, the method includes determining corners for a rectangle associated with the at least one target box within the respective monocular image frame. Based on the determined corners, the method includes the following: performing edge detection and determining faces within the respective monocular image frame; and extracting planes corresponding to the at least one target box from the respective depth image frame. The method includes matching the determined faces to the extracted planes and generating a box estimation based on the determined corners, the performed edge detection, and the matched faces of the at least one target box.

Abstract: Breathable residual-limb system that admits air and allows sweat to evaporate from the surface of the residual limb. In an embodiment, the system comprises a liner sock to be worn on the residual limb, and comprising air-permeable textile forming a substantially cylindrical portion that is closed on a distal end and open on a proximal end and comprising an internal surface and an external surface. The liner sock further comprises a friction-interface material that covers only a portion of the internal surface of the air-permeable textile, such that, when worn on the residual limb, the friction-interface material contacts a surface of the residual limb, and an uncovered portion of the air-permeable textile which the friction-interface material does not cover allows air to pass between an external environment of the liner sock and the surface of the residual limb.

Abstract: The invention discussed in this application relates to vitamin B12-based compounds that are useful as quantitative standards, particularly for the assessment of vitamin B12 deficiency.